GB2432997A

GB2432997A - Sending time stamped messages over a mobile telecommunication system

Info

Publication number: GB2432997A
Application number: GB0524401A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Sebastien Henri Andr Racaniere; John Garry; Juhee Kang; Paul Hoffmann; Simon Paul Brooks
Original assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Current assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Priority date: 2005-11-30
Filing date: 2005-11-30
Publication date: 2007-06-06
Anticipated expiration: 2025-11-30
Also published as: GB2432997B; GB0524401D0

Abstract

A method of sending messages over a mobile telecommunications system, the mobile telecommunications system comprising a mobile communication device attached to a mobile telecommunications network, and a storage means located within the network, the method comprising the steps of: creating, at the mobile communication device, a message, and a time stamp associated with the created message, the time stamp being associated with a time when the message is to be forwarded to the intended recipient, transmitting, from the mobile communication device, the message and time stamp to the storage means, storing, at the storage means, the message and time stamp, determining, at the mobile telecommunications network, if a cancellation message associated with the stored message has been received prior to the time associated with the time stamp, and, upon a negative determination, forwarding the message to the intended recipient from the storage means.

Description

IMPROVED MESSAGING IN MOBILE COMMUNICATION

DEVICES

The present invention relates to improved messaging in mobile communication devices. In particular, the present invention relates to an improved method and device for sending a message at a time associated with an event. Further, the present invention relates to an improved method, device, system or network for transmitting messages when a cancellation message has not been received.

Sending text messages using mobile communication devices, such as mobile telephones, PDAs (personal digital assistants) or the like, is a very popular way of communicating with other people. However, there are currently several problems associated with the sending and receiving of these text messages.

There have been certain advances in the way messages can be sent and received. For example, in US patent application US 6,044,275 it is shown that a message may be pre-stored on the mobile telephone, at the mobile switching centre (MSC) or at the SMS (short message service) service centre, prior, to sending the message at a preset date or time. In this manner, messages may be created at one point and then sent automatically at a predetermined time chosen by the creator of the message. This way, the user does not have to operate the mobile telephone at the time the message is sent to the intended recipient.

Also, in US patent application US 2002/0197995, it is disclosed that a message may be sent upon the occurrence of a certain characteristic. That is, the message may be sent if the quality of the transmission channel is sufficiently high, or if a certain security level has been reached, for example.

Further, it is also possible to send a message at a predefined time or date.

In situations where it is not possible to send a message due to either the use of the mobile telephone being prohibited (for example, in an aeroplane) or the mobile telephone being unable to operate correctly (for example, in an underground train or on a boat), it is not currently possible to warn people that you are going to be late due to unforeseen delays.

The above-described solutions do not enable a user to automatically provide reasons as to why they are unable to receive a call or respond to a text message. For example, when attending an event such as a meeting, it may not be possible to respond by answering the call or returning a text message explaining why you are unable to be contacted. The sender of the message, or caller, is then unaware of any legitimate reasons for the lack of response and may try to make contact time and time again. This causes anxiety to both the sender of the message, or caller, and the intended recipient.

Further, even if it were possible to send a message upon receipt of a message or call whilst in a meeting, it becomes extremely time consuming to draft text messages each time a separate person tries to make contact.

The present invention aims to overcome or at least alleviate some or all of the above-mentioned problems.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a method of sending messages over a mobile telecommunications system, the mobile telecommunications system comprising a mobile communication device attached to a mobile telecommunications network, and a storage means located within the network, the method comprising the steps of: creating, at the mobile communication device, a message, and a time stamp associated with the created message, the time stamp being associated with a time when the message is to be forwarded to an intended recipient, transmitting, from the mobile communication device, the message and time stamp to the storage means, storing, at the storage means, the message and time stamp, determining, at the mobile telecommunications network, if a cancellation message associated with the stored message has been received prior to the time associated with the time stamp, and, upon a negative determination, forwarding the message to the intended recipient from the storage means.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides a mobile telecommunications system comprising a mobile communication device attached to a mobile telecommunications network, the mobile telecommunications network comprising storage means, the mobile communication device comprising input means adapted to create a message, and a time stamp associated with the created message, the time stamp being associated with a time when the message is to be forwarded to an intended recipient, the mobile communication device further comprising transmission means adapted to transmit the message and time stamp to the storage means, the storage means adapted to store the message and time stamp, the mobile telecommunications network comprising determination means adapted to determine if a cancellation message associated with the stored message has been received prior to the time associated with the time stamp, wherein, the storage means is further adapted to forward the message to the intended recipient upon a negative determination by the determination means.

In yet a further aspect, the present invention provides a method of transmitting a message on a mobile communication device comprising the steps of: creating, at the mobile communication device, a message, and a time stamp associated with the created message, the time stamp being associated with a time when the message is to be forwarded to an intended recipient, transmitting, from the mobile communication device, the created message and time stamp, whereupon initialisation of the mobile communication device the method comprises the further steps of: determining, at the mobile communication device, whether the forwarding of the created message to the intended recipient is to be cancelled, and, upon a positive determination, transmitting, from the mobile communication device, a cancellation message associated with the created message.

In yet a further aspect, the present invention provides a mobile communication device comprising input means adapted to create a message, and a time stamp associated with the created message, the time stamp being associated with a time when the message is to be forwarded to an intended recipient, transmission means adapted to transmit the created message and time stamp, determination means, whereupon initialisation of the mobile communication device, the determination means is adapted to determine whether the forwarding of the created message to the intended recipient is to be cancelled, wherein, the transmission means is further adapted to transmit a cancellation message associated with the created message upon a positive determination by the determination means.

In yet a further aspect, the present invention provides a method of forwarding a message to an intended recipient in a mobile telecommunications network, the mobile telecommunications network comprising storage means, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a message, receiving a time stamp associated with the message, storing the message and time-stamp at the storage means, and, upon occurrence of the time associated with the time stamp, determining if a cancellation message associated with the stored message has been received, and, upon a negative determination, forwarding the message from the storage means to an intended recipient.

In yet a further aspect, the present invention provides a mobile telecommunications network comprising receiving means adapted to receive a message and a time stamp associated with the message, storage means adapted to store the message and time-stamp, and, upon occurrence of the time associated with the time stamp, determination means, adapted to determine if a cancellation message associated with the stored message has been received, and forwarding means adapted to forward the message to an intended recipient upon a negative determination.

In yet a further aspect, the present invention provides a mobile communication device comprising storage means adapted to store data associated with an event, wherein the data comprises a time associated with the event, control means adapted to create a message associated with the data, and further adapted to determine if the current time is a time associated with the event, and, transmission means adapted to transmit the message upon a positive determination by the control means.

In yet a further aspect, the present invention provides a method of transmitting a message using a mobile communication device comprising the steps of: storing data associated with a event, wherein the data comprises a time associated with the event, creating a message associated with the data, determining if the current time is a time associated with the event, and, upon a positive determination, transmitting the message.

Specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows components of a mobile telephone device adapted to implement the present invention; Figure 2 shows a mobile telecommunication network adapted to implement the present invention; Figure 3 shows a flow diagram associated with a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 shows a general concept flow diagram associated with a second and third embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 shows a further flow diagram associated with the second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 shows a series of screens associated with the second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 shows a flow diagram associated with a third embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8 shows a series of screens associated with the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIRST EMBODIMENT

A first embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail.

Figure 1 shows some of the components of a mobile telephone 101.

The mobile telephone 101 has a transceiver 103 to receive and transmit messages from or to a network via an air interface (not shown). Incoming messages are received by a SIM card 105, which is housed within the mobile telephone 101.

The SIM card 105 acts upon instructions received via encrypted messages from the network and outputs instructions to a controller 107. The SIM card 105 is enabled to do this by programming using known systems such as SIM Toolkit and JavaSiM. Connected to the controller is an E2PROM memory device 111 and a cache memory 113.

Also connected to the controller 107 is a display 115. The display 115 provides information relevant to the current call status of the mobile telephone and allows the user to see text as it is entered via a keypad 117. A communications bus 109 links most of the components within the mobile telephone 101, and a battery (not shown) is used to provide power to all the components of the mobile telephone.

The mobile telephone has a number of different application programs stored within its SIM card 105. Alternatively, the application programs may be stored in any other memory device. The different applications are initiated using the method of accessing a menu screen and scrolling down to the required application. The applications concerned may be, for example, a calendar, a text editor, contacts list, a to-do list or any other suitable application that may be initiated on a mobile telephone.

In Figure 2, a mobile telephone operated by user A is indicated at 201.

The mobile telephone 201 is connected to a base station 205. The base station 205 is connected to a mobile switching centre/visitor location register (MSC/VLR). The base station 205 is also connected to an SMS service centre 209. The MSC 207 and SMS service centre 209 are interconnected and also have a connection to a home location register 211.

Further, a user B has a mobile telephone 203 that is connected to a base station 207. The base station 207 is also interconnected to the MSC 207 and SMS service centre 209.

Text messages may be sent from one mobile telephone to another mobile telephone by any known means.

The text message may be temporarily stored in the MSC 207 or SMS service centre 209 prior to forwarding to the intended recipient depending on the preferences of the Network operator.

In this embodiment, a user may provide a text message indicating that they are going to be late due to unforeseen delays in a situation when they are prohibited from using their mobile telephone.

A message transmitted by user A includes a date/time stamp indicating when the message is to be forwarded to user B. Further, the message includes a cancellation option that provides an indication to the MSC (or SMS service centre) that the message may be cancelled prior to the time indicated in the date/time stamp.

The MSC (or SMS service centre) stores the text message itself as well as the date/time stamp and the cancellation option.

Thus, when a user A intends to go on a journey, for example, on an aeroplane, a message is created and transmitted to user B including the date/time stamp and cancellation option, where upon it is stored at the MSC (or SMS service centre).

For example, the message may include the text "My flight has been delayed, please check arrival times". When user A subsequently lands, they will initialise their mobile telephone and see a message appear on the telephone screen indicating an option to send a cancellation message. If user A has arrived on time, then it is not necessary for the pre- stored message to be sent to user B. In this way, user A sends the cancellation message, and the pre-stored message is discarded and not sent to user B. However, if user A is delayed on the flight, a cancellation message can not be sent, and so, when the current time matches the time of the date/time stamp associated with the message, the stored message is forwarded to user B. This forwarded message lets user B know that user A is late due to unforeseen delays, and so should check the arrival times of the appropriate flight.

Referring to Figure 3, the procedure is shown starting at step S301. At step S303 a user A sends an SMS message to user B. This message includes a date/time stamp and a cancellation option. The message is stored in the MSC at step S305. Alternatively, the message may be stored in the SMS service centre.

At step S307 a check is made to see whether a cancellation message has been received associated with the stored message. If a cancellation message has been received, the message is discarded at step S3 13. However, if a cancellation message has not been received at step S307, the MSC determines at step S309 whether the current time and date is the same as that included within the date/time stamp associated with that message. When it is determined at step S309 that the current time and date is the same as the information in the time stamp, the SMS message is forwarded to the user B at step S311. The procedure then ends at step S315.

This first embodiment provides the advantage of allowing a user to inform other people that they are going to be late due to unforeseen circumstances even though they are prohibited from using their mobile telephone at the time of the unforeseen delay.

In the second and third embodiments described below, it is shown how the user may automatically send associated messages to a person trying to contact them during a period of time when they are unavailable to be contacted, as indicated by information stored on a mobile telephone related to an event that the user is attending.

Figure 4 shows a general flow diagram, which applies to this embodiment as well as the third embodiment described below.

The procedure starts at step S401. At step S403, data is stored on the mobile telephone in any suitable storage device. This data is associated with an event that the user is attending. The data associated with the event is obtained by using an application installed on the mobile telephone. For example, the application may be a calendar, a to-do-list, meeting organiser, or any other associated application that allows a user to enter data associated with an event. The data may be entered using a keypad on the mobile telephone. Alternatively, data may be entered using any other suitable means such as voice recognition, for example.

At step S405, the user is provided with an option to create a message.

If the user does not wish to create a message, the procedure ends at step S413.

However, if the user does wish to create a message, at step S407, a message is created that is associated with the event. The message is subsequently stored at step S409. At step S41 1, the message is sent when a time occurs that is associated with the event. The procedure then ends at step S413.

SECOND EMBODIMENT

A second embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail.

A specific example related to this second embodiment will now be provided. In this specific example a user provides details of an event in a calendar application on the mobile telephone, which are stored in any suitable storage device on the mobile telephone. The details of the event provided include the date, start and end time of the event, and the type of event. In this example, the event is a meeting.

The user is provided with an option to notify people during the meeting when a second event occurs. That is, if the user receives a telephone call or message during the meeting. If this option is taken, when the user receives a call or message during the meeting, a message is transmitted to the sender of the message or caller (either automatically, or upon confirmation) informing the sender/caller that the intended recipient is unavailable as they are in a meeting. The explanation inserted into the message provides the sender/caller with information such that they are made aware of the reasons that the intended recipient cannot respond, and may also provide details of when the intended recipient is due to be available.

Figure 5 shows a flow diagram indicating a procedure according to his embodiment. The procedure starts at step S501. At step S503, a user enters the meeting (event) details in the calendar application on the mobile telephone.

At step S505, the user is provided with an option to notify people during the meeting. If the user decides not to notify people during the meeting, the procedure ends. However, if the user does wish to notifying people during the meeting, a template associated with the event type is retrieved from the memory of the mobile telephone. In this example, the template is associated with a meeting.

The controller of the mobile telephone extracts data from the event details stored on the mobile telephone. The data is inserted into the template atstepS5ll.

At this point, the user is provided with an option to transmit the message automatically during the time period when the meeting is occurring.

If the user does wish to automatically transmit a message, the controller of the mobile telephone determines if there is an incoming call, as indicated in step S5 15. If it is determined that there is an incoming call, the created message is transmitted at step S521. At step S523, it is determined whether the meeting has ended, and if not, the procedure reverts back to step S5 15 to determine if there are any further incoming calls.

If the user does not wish to automatically transmit the message, a check is made to see whether an incoming call is being received at step S5 17.

If an incoming call is not being received, a check is made to see whether the event is still occurring at step S523. If the event has ended, the procedure ends. However, if the event has not ended, the procedure reverts back to checking whether an incoming call is being received at step S517.

If an incoming call is received at step S5 17, an option is provided to the user on the mobile telephone screen to transmit the message, as shown at step S519. The information on the screen provides a preview to the user of the message to be transmitted. If the user does not wish to transmit a message, a check is again made to see whether the event is still occurring at step S523, and the appropriate action is taken as described above. However, if the user indicates that a message is to be transmitted, a message is transmitted at step S52 1. Upon which, again, a check is made to see whether the event has ended atstepS523.

Alternatively, the same procedure will apply to incoming messages.

Figures 6A-6D indicate example screen displays as provided to the user during the creation and sending of a message. The screen as shown in Figure 6A is provided to the user upon entering data into the mobile telephone associated with an event. This particular screen display is associated with a meeting, and asks the user whether an SMS message is to be sent to anybody calling the user during an event.

Figure 6B is provided to the user on the screen of the mobile telephone when the user selects YES' to the options provided in Figure 6A. This provides the user with details of the message that will be sent to someone who tries to contact them during the meeting time held on 5 March 2006 between 15h00 and 16h00. The user is also provided with an option to automatically send the message or to grant confirmation that the message is to be sent.

Figure 6C shows a screen provided to the user when they have requested confirmation. This screen is shown upon receipt of an incoming call or message during the meeting period. This allows the user to selectively choose who receives messages concerning the meeting.

Figure 6D shows a template message associated with the meeting event, which includes a Start Time field and an End Time field. The start times and end times associated with the meeting are extracted from the stored data associated with the event and inserted at the relevant positions within the template to form the message.

This embodiment provides the advantage that a user does not need to worry about persons trying to make contact whilst being unavailable, as they will be informed immediately of the reason for the user's unavailability.

Further, if several people are trying to contact the user during a meeting, the user does not need to draft a number of different messages explaining that he is in a meeting.

THIRD EMBODIMENT

A third embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail.

The procedure shown in Figure 4 and discussed above also applies to this embodiment.

In this embodiment, a user enters details for an event, such as a birthday, for example, into an application on the mobile telephone. The application may be, for example, a calendar. The user provides infonnation including the date and an indicated start time for the event, and the name of the person associated with the event. For example, the name of the person whose birthday it is. Optionally, the user may provide further details associated with the person such as whether the person is a friend, business associate, or relative, or falls within another category.

When the mobile telephone detects that the start time associated with the event has occurred, a message is transmitted, either automatically or upon confirmation, to the person associated with the event at the relevant date and start time.

Figure 7 shows a flow diagram of an example procedure for sending a message.

The procedure starts at step S701. At step S703, a user enters event details in the calendar application loaded on the mobile telephone. In this example, the event is a birthday. The information provided includes the date of the birthday and a preferred start time, which will be the time the message is to be sent. Further details such as the name may be provided, as well as the relationship between the user and the person whose birthday it is and the user of the system, such as friend, business associate, relative or other relationship type.

At step 705, it is determined whether a message is to be sent when the event starts. If not, the procedure ends at step S725. If a message is to be sent, the controller of the mobile telephone retrieves a template associated with the event type, i.e. a template suitable for sending birthday greetings, at step S707. Subsequently, the controller extracts data, such as the name of the intended recipient, from the event details previously entered, at step S709. At step S71 1, the extracted data is inserted into the template to create the message. At step S713, the user is provided the option to send the message automatically.

If the message is to be sent automatically, the controller of the mobile telephone determines if the event has started. This determination is carried out by comparing the current time with the start time and date of the birthday, as shown in step S715. If it is determined that the event has started, a message is sent at step S719. The procedure then ends at S725.

If the user does not wish to send the message automatically, the controller of the mobile telephone determines if the event has started, as described above. Upon the determination that the event has started at step S717, the user is provided with on-screen instructions requesting confirmation that the message is to be transmitted, as shown at step S72 1. If the user indicates that the message is not to be sent, the procedure ends at step S725.

However, if the message is to be sent, the message is sent at step S723. The procedure then subsequently ends at step S725.

Figures 8A-8D indicate example screen displays as provided to the user during the creation and sending of a message. The screen as shown in Figure 8A is provided to the user upon entering data into the mobile telephone associated with an event. This particular screen is associated with a birthday, and asks the user whether an SMS message indicating happy birthday is to be sent on the day.

Figure 8B is provided to the user on the screen of the mobile telephone when the user selects YES' to the options provided in Figure 8A. This provides the user with details of the message that will be sent to the person whose birthday it is. The user is also provided with an option to automatically send the message or to grant confirmation that the message is to be sent.

Figure 8C shows a screen provided to the user when they have requested confirmation. This screen is shown when the controller of the mobile telephone determines that the date and current time match up with the birthday date and start time previously entered. This allows the user to selectively choose whether a birthday greeting is to be sent by text.

Figure 6D shows a template message associated with the birthday event, which includes a First Name field. The name of the person associated with the birthday is extracted from the stored data associated with the event and inserted at the relevant position within the template to form the message.

This embodiment provides the advantage of being able to send an event specific message at the appropriate time without having to remember when the event occurs. Further, the event may be personalised with information previously received when the user entered the data into the mobile telephone.

FURTHER EMBODIMENTS

It will be understood that embodiments of the present invention are described herein by way of example only and that various changes and modifications maybe made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Further, it will be understood that, in the first embodiment, the orderin which the MSC (or SMS service centre) checks the current time and date, and checks if a cancellation message is received may be reversed, or even carried out simultaneously.

Further it will be understood that the messages referred to in the second and third embodiments, do not need to be stored locally on the mobile telephone. That is, the message may be created on the mobile telephone and then forwarded to be stored at the MSC or SMS service centre. In this manner, if confirmation is required, the MSC or SMS service centre forwards a text to the mobile telephone asking whether the message is to be forwarded.

If the MSC or SMS service centre receives a reply, it then forwards the message. In the case of the third embodiment, if no confirmation is required, the MSC or SMS service centre automatically sends a message when the event starts. In the case of the second embodiment, if no confirmation is required, the MSC or SMS service centre automatically sends a message during the event upon the occurrence of a second event, such as receiving a call or message intended for the mobile telephone. The MSC or SMS service centre can determine the relevant time for sending messages from the information received with the message from the user.

Further, it will be understood that different templates may be used for different events or different categories of people. That is, one template may be used for a birthday, whereas a different template may be used for a meeting, anniversary or other event. Further, different templates may be used where the intended recipient is a friend, business associate, relative, spouse or a person who falls into any other category.

Further, it will be understood that the templates are an option and that the message is created by extracting relevant data from the data entered into the application by the user into a blank text editing screen. This allows the user to write their own message based upon the extracted data.

Further, it will be understood that any type of data entered by the user when entering the event details may be extracted and inserted into the message to be sent.

Further, it will be understood that although the described embodiments use SMS technology, any other type of messaging system could be employed, including long SMS or concatenated SMS.

Further, it will be understood that, although in the second and third embodiments data associated with events is inserted into a template to form the message, this is only an option. For example, a pre-stored message for the sending of birthday wishes would not necessarily include the recipients name, and could simply say "Happy Birthday! Further, it will be understood that, although the messages are sent at the exact start time provided for the event in the third embodiment, that the message may be sent within a default time period associated with the start time.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A method of sending messages over a mobile

telecommunications system, the mobile telecommunications system comprising a mobile communication device attached to a mobile telecommunications network, and a storage means located within the network, the method comprising the steps of: creating, at the mobile communication device, a message, and a time stamp associated with the created message, the time stamp being associated with a time when the message is to be forwarded to an intended recipient, transmitting, from the mobile communication device, the message and time stamp to the storage means, storing, at the storage means, the message and time stamp, determining, at the mobile telecommunications network, if a cancellation message associated with the stored message has been received prior to the time associated with the time stamp, and, upon a negative determination, forwarding the message to the intended recipient from the storage means.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of the storage means discarding the stored message upon a positive determination in the determining step.

3. The method of claim I wherein the storage means is a mobile switching centre.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the storage means is a short message service centre.

5. A mobile telecommunications system comprising a mobile communication device attached to a mobile telecommunications network, the mobile telecommunications network comprising storage means, the mobile communication device comprising input means adapted to create a message, and a time stamp associated with the created message, the time stamp being associated with a time when the message is to be forwarded to an intended recipient, the mobile communication device further comprising transmission means adapted to transmit the message and time stamp to the storage means, the storage means adapted to store the message and time stamp, the mobile telecommunications network comprising determination means adapted to determine if a cancellation message associated with the stored message has been received prior to the time associated with the time stamp, wherein, the storage means is further adapted to forward the message to the intended recipient upon a negative determination by the determination means.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the storage means discards the stored message upon a positive determination.

7. The system of claim 5 wherein the storage means is a mobile switching centre.

8. The system of claim 5 wherein the storage means is a short message service centre.

9. A method of transmitting a message on a mobile communication device comprising the steps of: creating, at the mobile communication device, a message, and a time stamp associated with the created message, the time stamp being associated with a time when the message is to be forwarded to an intended recipient, transmitting, from the mobile communication device, the created message and time stamp, whereupon initialisation of the mobile communication device the method comprises the further steps of: determining, at the mobile communication device, whether the forwarding of the created message to the intended recipient is to be cancelled, and, upon a positive determination, transmitting, from the mobile communication device, a cancellation message associated with the created message.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the determining step comprises the further steps of the mobile communication device: obtaining the current time, and determining whether the time associated with the time stamp is after the current time, such that, upon a positive determination, the cancellation message associated with the created message is transmitted.

II. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of transmitting the cancellation message only upon receiving confirmation that it is to be transmitted.

12. A mobile communication device comprising input means adapted to create a message, and a time stamp associated with the created message, the time stamp being associated with a time when the message is to be forwarded to an intended recipient, transmission means adapted to transmit the created message and time stamp, determination means, whereupon initialisation of the mobile communication device, the determination means is adapted to determine whether the forwarding of the created message to the intended recipient is to be cancelled, wherein, the transmission means is further adapted to transmit a cancellation message associated with the created message upon a positive determination by the determination means.

13. The mobile communication device of claim 12 wherein the mobile communication device further comprises control means adapted to obtain the current time, and determine whether the time associated with the time stamp is after the current time, wherein, the transmission means is further adapted to transmit the cancellation message associated with the created message upon a positive determination by the control means.

14. The mobile communication device of claim 12, wherein the transmission means is adapted to transmit the cancellation message only upon receiving confirmation that it is to be transmitted.

15. A method of forwarding a message to an intended recipient in a mobile telecommunications network, the mobile telecommunications network comprising storage means, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a message, receiving a time stamp associated with the message, storing the message and time-stamp at the storage means, and, upon occurrence of the time associated with the time stamp, determining if a cancellation message associated with the stored message has been received, and, upon a negative determination, forwarding the message from the storage means to an intended recipient.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of the storage means discarding the stored message upon a positive determination in the determining step.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the storage means is a mobile switching centre.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein the storage means is a short message service centre.

19. A mobile telecommunications network comprising receiving means adapted to receive a message and a time stamp associated with the message, storage means adapted to store the message and time-stamp, and, upon occurrence of the time associated with the time stamp, determination means, adapted to determine if a cancellation message associated with the stored message has been received, and forwarding means adapted to forward the message to an intended recipient upon a negative determination.

20. The mobile telecommunications network of claim 19, wherein, the storage means is further adapted to discard the stored message upon the determination that a cancellation message associated with the stored message has been received.

21. The mobile telecommunications network of claim 20 wherein the storage means is a mobile switching centre.

22. The mobile telecommunications network of claim 20 wherein the storage means is a short message service centre.

23. A mobile communication device comprising storage means adapted to store data associated with an event, wherein the data comprises a time associated with the event, control means adapted to create a message associated with the data, and further adapted to determine if the current time is a time associated with the event, and, transmission means adapted to transmit the message upon a positive determination by the control means.

24. The mobile communication device of claim 23 wherein the data further comprises a start time associated with the event and the transmission means is further adapted to transmit the message at a time associated with the start time.

25. The mobile communication device of claim 23 wherein the data further comprises a time period associated with when the event is occurring and the transmission means is further adapted to transmit the message at a time associated with the time period.

26. The mobile communication device of claim 25, wherein the transmission means is further adapted to transmit the message upon the occurrence of a second event.

27. The mobile communication device of claim 26 wherein the second event is the reception of a telephone call.

28. The mobile communication device of claim 27, wherein the message is transmitted to the caller.

29. The mobile communication device of claim 26, wherein the second event is the reception of a message.

30. The mobile communication device of claim 27, wherein the message is transmitted to the sender of the message.

31. The mobile communication device of claim 23 wherein the storage means is further adapted to store at least one message template.

32. The mobile communication device of claim 31 wherein each template is associated with a type of event.

33. The mobile communication device of claim 31 wherein each template is associated with a type of intended recipient.

34. The mobile communication device of claim 23 wherein the storage means is further adapted to store an application adapted to receive the data.

35. The mobile communication device of claim 23 wherein the control means is further adapted to insert at least some of the data into the message to be transmitted.

36. The mobile communication device of claim 23, wherein the transmission means is further adapted to transmit the message only when confirmation is received that it is to be transmitted.

37. The mobile communication device of claim 23, wherein the transmission means is further adapted to transmit the message to a further storage means in a mobile telecommunications network.

38. The mobile communication device of claim 37, wherein the further storage means is a mobile service centre.

39. The mobile communication device of claim 37, wherein the further storage means is a short message service mobile centre.

40. The mobile communication device of claim 37 wherein the further storage means is further adapted to forward the message at a time associated with the start time of the event.

41. The mobile communication device of claim 37 wherein the further storage means is further adapted to forward the message at a time associated with the time period when the event is currently occurring.

42. The mobile communication device of claim 41, wherein the further storage means is adapted to forward the message upon an indication that a call or message is to be forwarded to the mobile communication device.

43. A method of transmitting a message using a mobile communication device comprising the steps of: storing data associated with a event, wherein the data comprises a time associated with the event, creating a message associated with the data, determining if the current time is a time associated with the event, and, upon a positive determination, transmitting the message.

44. The method of claim 43 wherein the data further comprises a start time associated with the event and the method further comprises the step of transmitting the message at a time associated with the start time.

45. The method of claim 43 wherein the data further comprises a time period associated with when the event is occurring and the method further comprises the step of transmitting the message at a time associated with the time period.

46. The method of claim 45 further comprising the step of transmitting the message upon the occurrence of a second event.

47. The method of claim 46 wherein the second event is the reception of a telephone call.

48. The method of claim 47 further comprising the step of transmitting the message to the caller.

49. The method of claim 46, wherein the second event is the reception of a message.

50. The method of claim 47 further comprising the step of transmitting the message to the sender of the message.

51. The method of claim 43 further comprising the step of storing at least one message template.

52. The method of claim 51 wherein each template is associated with a type of event.

53. The method of claim 51 wherein each template is associated with a type of intended recipient.

54. The method of claim 43 further comprising the step of storing an application adapted to receive the data.

55. The method of claim 43 further comprising the step of inserting at least some of the data into the message to be transmitted.

56. The method of claim 43 further comprising the step of transmitting the message only when confirmation is received that it is to be transmitted.

57. The method of claim 43 further comprising the step of transmitting the message to a further storage means in a mobile telecommunications network.

58. The method of claim 57, wherein the further storage means is a mobile service centre.

59. The method of claim 57 wherein the further storage means is a short message service centre.

60. The method of claim 57 further comprising the step of forwarding the message at a time associated with the start time of the event.

61. The method of claim 57 further comprising the step of forwarding the message at a time associated with the time period when the event is currently occurnng.

62. The method of claim 61 further comprising the step of forwarding the message upon an indication that a call or message is to be forwarded to the mobile communication device.